According to a Cancer Research UK analysis, the overall fall in lung cancer rates over the past two decades is expected to continue still further down in the years to come, largely due to the falling number of smokers subsequent to the tobacco ban.

The team of researchers said that in nine out of ten lung cancer cases, the deadly disease is caused by smoking; with men more vulnerable than women simply because they are more likely to smoke. The researchers based their calculations on the analysis of the second most-commonly diagnosed cancer and the population data from organizations like the Office for National Statistics.

Figuratively speaking, researchers opine that by the year 2024, lung cancer rates in UK will drop from the present 50 cases to 40 cases per 100,000 people. They anticipate a total of 22,000 men being detected of lung cancer every year, in the given period, as against 18,000 women.

Moreover, the time-lag between smoking and onset of lung cancer, as well as increased life expectancy will, on an average, rise to 41,600 to 38,500.

Professor Max Parkin, the co-author of the study said: "These predictions are based on what we know to date about the current figures and trends for lung cancer. As fewer people smoke, we should see a lower rate of the disease."